Event approvals

Anyone planning an event should begin by visiting the UQ events information page here to ensure they get the latest information about the events approval process, and access to the current application forms. Following current procedures and using the latest forms will avoid delays in the approval process.

UQ Mayne Events Space

Need a space to host your next event? Close and convenient to the Brisbane CBD, The Mayne Events Space boasts rooms perfect for private dinners, conferences, or workshops. Event booking information and room details can be found in our event compendium and via the Mayne Events Space website. Contact the team today for a personalised event proposal.

Events

Patenting immunity? Vaccines and Public Health
Are you interested in exploring how innovation and access to vaccines and medicine can coexist in a fair and sustainable way? If so, don't miss this panel discussion on 24 July, 4-6pm, where experts including Emeritus Professor Ian Frazer (Co-inventor of Gardasil) and Antony Taubman (Director @WTO) will share their insights on how to rethink vaccine development and distribution in times of crisis and beyond. Join the conversation on fair and sustainable innovation in medicine and IP law chaired by Walkley Award-winning Journalist Paul Barclay. Secure your ticket. 

Medical science educators’ professional identity formation
Professor Neil Osheroff, past president of the International Association of Medical Science Educators and the John Coniglio Chair in Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University Medical School, will present seminar and share knowledge on medical curriculum design and revision on Friday 23 June, 11.30am–12.30 pm, St Lucia Campus FAF (81-412).

Immunopathology and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
As part of the Mater Research Seminar Series, Dr Sumaira Hasnain will discuss how understanding interleukin-22 could provide a promising new therapy for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) on Monday 5 June, 12:30–1:30pm, TRI Auditorium and Zoom.

Improving Hospital Outcomes for Frail Patients Across Different Disciplines
Part of the Geriatric Medicine Seminar Series, this event will showcase Professor Ruth Hubbard’s NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence grant, which aims to improve hospital outcomes for frail patients through six interdisciplinary research programs. Dr Kristiana Ludlow and Dr Benignus Logan will provide an overview of the programs and discuss the CRE's approach to engaging a diverse range of stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, students, peak bodies and organisations, consumers and caregivers on Wednesday 21 June, 12:30–1:30 pm via Zoom.

Pathways to Involving Consumers in Research
Are you finding it challenging to involve consumers in your research? Don’t know how to get started or how to continue keeping consumers involved? This workshop will include the perspectives of consumers and researchers at various stages along the journey of setting up, supporting and sustaining consumer involvement in research at UQCCR. On Thursday 8 June, 12–1pm, via Zoom. 

View archived Events announcements

Congratulations
A big congratulations to the following people:
 
Professor James Scott on the release of the Australian Child Maltreatment Study Report. The Study randomly surveyed 8503 randomly selected Australians aged 16-65+. It generated the first nationally representative rates of all types of child maltreatment and their associated outcomes in Australia. These findings demonstrate the imperative for Australian governments to develop a coordinated long-term plan for generational reform.

Dr Ayaho Yamamoto on leading a study highlighting links between air quality and COVID-19 severity, published in Experimental Biology and Medicine. This article addresses the mechanisms by which air pollution worsens COVID-19, highlighting the apparent protection offered by a dietary antioxidant, astaxanthin.

Dr Dwan Vilcins for receiving the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand’s Peter Phelan Paediatric Research Award. This award recognises Dr Vilcins’ recent grant success and launch of the new book Eddie the EPFR.

CCHR Seminar Series – UQ presenters
You are invited to the following CCHR Seminars on Wednesdays from 12-1pm:

• 12 July – Kids Sleep Research
• 23 August – Ian Frazer Centre for Children’s Immunotherapy Research
• 4 October – Children’s Health Environment Program
• 15 November – Acquired Brain Injury in Children 

View archived announcements from CHRC

New Telehealth Consumer Reference Group
Researchers from the Centre for Online Health have partnered with more than 30 consumers to form the Telehealth Consumer Reference Group, serving as the Centre’s barometer for consumer lead research, partnerships, priorities and external engagement. Our consumers have already demonstrated a real passion for telehealth and digital health research and were excited about the opportunity to be involved and contribute!

From the Director’s Desk
It is hard to believe that we are almost halfway through the year! This is an important time to reassess our goals and how we are tracking. We are now entering awards season, with many award opportunities on offer including the UQ Awards for Excellence and Research Australia Awards. These awards are an excellent way to recognise the outstanding achievements of your colleagues.

Last week, we celebrated National Reconciliation Week across Australia (Saturday 27 May to Saturday 3 June). This presented an important opportunity to learn more about shared histories, cultures and achievements, as well as to reflect on what we are doing individually and as a centre to promote reconciliation in Australia. This is particularly important this year as we look to vote on the upcoming referendum for the Voice to Parliament.

Congratulations to Danelle Kenny and Professor Tracy Comans on their Conversation article this week, on home care packages and how to choose or change providers.

Finally, it was wonderful to see the large representation by CHSR at Tuesday’s UQ Implementation Science Community Workshop. Thanks to Jason, Adrienne, Anthony, Jaimon and Anish for sharing their expertise.

Best wishes,

Monika

The spirit of reconciliation
UQ Core Cultural Learning modules can be completed at your own pace whenever you like (Modules 1–2 are mandatory for all UQ staff).

Upcoming CHSR Seminars
Health and wellbeing in the workplace by Vicki Hobson-Green (Health and Wellbeing Committee). Wednesday 7 June, 12:30–1:30pm, Zoom.

Research Support Team updates
Please notify the CHSR Research Support Team via the online survey or email Casey and Uwe if you are applying for grants (either as CIA or collaborator). For post-award support, please contact Phil or Olivia (for AKTN).

Funding opportunities
RACP Research Fellowships (various opportunities) – close 27 June
MRFF Early to Mid-career researchers – close 21 June
MRFF Clinical Trials Activity – applications close 28 June
MRFF Chronic Respiratory Conditions – close 5 July
MRFF Consumer-Led grants – close 5 July
MRFF National Critical Research Infrastructure – 31 July
MRFF Clinician Researchers: Applied Research in Health – close 2 August
MRFF Primary Health Care Research – close 16 August
MRFF Dementia and Aged Care – close 30 August
NIH (National Institute of Health) – Cycle II May 25 – September 7, Cycle III – September 25 – January 7
HTQ Consmer engagement microgrants – ongoing

More funding opportunities available via the FoM CHSR teams.
 
Award Opportunities
UQ Awards for Excellence – nominations close 30 June
Research Australia Awards – nominations close 31 July

More award opportunities available via the FoM CHSR teams.

Consumer Renumeration in Research
Faculty of Medicine have just released new guidelines on Consumer Renumeration and how to submit claims for Consumer Renumeration. Documents have been uploaded to the FoM CHSR Teams site.

Training opportunities
Career consultations for UQ academic researchers Level A-E and research professionals. Consultations can be booked online, are confidential and are tailored to one-on-one advice.
 
QCIF online statistics training workshops – register online

Dimensions/Altmetrics Explorer training sessions – Zoom

Thank you for those that attended the Pivot-RP workshop. For those unable to attend, a copy of the recording and slides can be found on FoM CHSR Teams.

More training opportunities available via the FoM CHSR teams.

Marketing and Communications
Please send social media requests to the marketing and communications team.

Twitter – Please follow your CHSR colleagues on Twitter. You can find their twitter handles on FOM CHSR Teams.

CHSR Publications
1.     Barnett A, Wright C, Stone C, Ho NY, Adhyaru P, Kostjasyn S, Hickman IJ, Campbell KL, Mayr HL, Kelly JT. Effectiveness of dietary interventions delivered by digital health to adults with chronic conditions: Systematic review and meta- analysis. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2023 Jun;36(3):632-656. doi: 10.1111/jhn.13125. Epub 2023 Jan 16. PMID: 36504462
2.     van der Vegt AH, Scott IA, Dermawan K, Schnetler RJ, Kalke VR, Lane PJ. Implementation frameworks for end-to-end clinical AI: derivation of the SALIENT framework. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2023 May 19:ocad088. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocad088. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37208863
3.     Mattison G, Canfell OJ, Forrester D, Dobbins C, Smith D, Reid D, Sullivan C. A step in the right direction: the potential role of smartwatches in supporting chronic disease prevention in health care. Med J Aust. 2023 May 15;218(9):384-388. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51920. Epub 2023 Apr 12. PMID: 37182214
4.     Chow KM, Li PK, Cho Y, Abu-Alfa A, Bavanandan S, Brown EA, Cullis B, Edwards D, Ethier I, Hurst H, Ito Y, de Moraes TP, Morelle J, Runnegar N, Saxena A, So SW, Tian N, Johnson DW. ISPD Catheter-related Infection Recommendations: 2023 Update. Perit Dial Int. 2023 May 26:8968608231172740. doi: 10.1177/08968608231172740. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37232412

View archived announcements from CHSR

SILVER-Q – bringing together medical and nursing students
As part of our ongoing commitment to interprofessional learning and collaboration within our communities, three clinical units of the Rural Clinical School (RCS) partnered with CQUniversity and the University of Southern Queensland to bring together undergraduate nursing and medical students. So far this year, over 30 medical students and 50 nursing students have worked side-by-side to assess, implement and manage patient care for simulated real-life patients, played by actors, who presented with a range of symptoms or injuries. Known as SILVER-Q, this event is often one of the first times our medical students find themselves working as a team to coordinate and share decision making on all aspects of patient care.

Medical School community achievements

Success at ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting 
Three academic title holders within the Mayne Academy of Critical Care presented at the recent Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Annual Scientific Meeting in Sydney.

Dr Amy Lin presented her quality assurance project, The use of slow release opioids for acute pain management for elective and emergency caesarean sections: a retrospective audit of practice in the prestigious Michael Paech Prize Session at the Obstetric Anaesthesia Satellite Meeting.

Dr Anna Tanios presented her original research, The effect of type of anaesthetic on delirium after surgery for acute hip fracture: an instrumental variable analysis in the Trainee Academic Prize session. The presentation won the ANZCA Trainee Research Prize.

Dr Nathan Peters presented his research, Low-level versus high-level disinfection of ultrasound transducers after standardised contamination on skin: a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. Dr Peters, a Specialist Anaesthetist at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, won the prestigious Gilbert Brown Prize for his work.

RACGP Education Research Grant success
We congratulate Associate Professor Matthew McGrail from the Rural Clinical School on being awarded a Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Education Research Grant titled: Informing stronger integration across all sectors of the GP education and training pipeline. The project will explore how to strengthen integration across the GP education and training pipeline.

Research  

New Medical School Research Support mailbox
The Medical School Research Development Officer (RDO) has a new mailbox: Medical School Research Support medschool.research@uq.edu.au. This mailbox replaces med.research.ath@uq.edu.au. Emails sent to the old address will still reach the Medical School RDO. You can learn more about your Research Support team in the Medical School Research Support Handbook.

Grants 101 recording
If you missed the Grants 101 session with Dr Noni Creasey or want to refresh your memory, the recording and slides are now available on the Medical School intranet. If you have any questions about grant processes, please contact the Medical School Research Support team.

UQ medical students in your research
Please be aware that there is a dedicated process for including UQ medical students in extra-curricular research to help ensure a safe and quality experience for everyone involved. Please discuss this with students before they commence any research with you and refer them to the Student Research Portal for further information.

Faculty Research Alert
The Faculty Research Alert is emailed weekly and includes information about UQ internal schemes, external funding opportunities and awards. If you want to receive the Alert, please email the Faculty of Medicine Research team. Detailed information on research funding opportunities and awards can be viewed on the Faculty of Medicine intranet. For previously advertised grant and award opportunities and events, please refer to the Archive Faculty Research Alert webpage.

Education

MD Design update
There has been a lot of activity in the MD Design space. The Year 2 syllabus is being finalised. Two Year 2 learning activity focus groups (Case-Based Learning and Clinical and Professional Learning) have been established so far.

The team is collating feedback on Year 1 from both students and staff via the Ed Discussion Board, Medical School Student Support Team and drop-in sessions. Year 1 students will also be given an opportunity to provide feedback on Weeks 1-16 via a survey.

Regional Medical Pathway – EOI open for academic teaching staff
Next year will see the start of an exciting change to the UQ Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. With the introduction of the Regional Medical Pathway in the Central Queensland and Wide Bay regions (based in Rockhampton and Bundaberg), we are transitioning to teaching all four years of the MD program in the regions. Year 2 medical students will be based in Rockhampton and Bundaberg from 2024 followed by the full program from 2025.

We are seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified and experienced academic staff (clinicians and non-clinicians) in medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, histology, pathology), public health, Ethics, Professionalism and Law as well as clinical teachers with an integrated, inter-professional and multi-disciplinary approach. These staff will support the teaching of Year 2 in 2024 and Years 1 and 2 from 2025.

Visit UQ Careers for further information about this opportunity and the application process. Applications close on 12 June.

Academic Program Review – Postgraduate Skin Cancer programs
Submissions are invited for the Academic Program Review for the Medical School’s Suite of Postgraduate Skin Cancer programs (Master of Medicine and Graduate Certificate in Medicine). The review will be conducted in the week of 23 October. The terms of reference for the review are available via the Medical School intranet. Feedback can be submitted via the online feedback form by 17 July. For any questions, please contact the Review Secretary.

Engagement

Come and Try day
In May, the Hervey Bay Regional Clinical Unit hosted a 'Come and Try' day for eight local high school students. The event gave Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students the opportunity to experience a variety of clinical skills sessions and to speak with health professionals and student doctors about health careers. A big thank you to the medical students, Regional Clinical Unit and Regional Training Hub teams for their efforts on the day!

General Practice Clinical Unit newsletter
The General Practice Clinical Unit distributes a quarterly newsletter. Click on the Newsletters tab for the latest information regarding the Mayne Academy of General Practice and General Practice Clinical Unit, teaching tips, articles and more.

Battle of the Specialities
Battle of the Bands now has a rival event in Wide Bay; ‘Battle of the Specialities’! This month, the Wide Bay Regional Training Hub welcomed Senior Medical Officers to settle the great debate; which speciality is the best, in an effort to sway medical students and junior doctors in their choice of future speciality. Despite no clear winner, the events were deemed a great success, with over 70 people attending the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay sessions.

FRAME Conference
The Hervey Bay Regional Clinical Unit had the privilege of hosting the Federation of Rural Australian Medical Educators (FRAME) Conference in May. FRAME is the peak body representing Rural Clinical Schools and Regional Training Hubs funded through the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training Program (RHMT). It was a thought-provoking and collaborative full two days. From the presentations, it was particularly evident that all universities in the rural and regional space are working hard to achieve the same goal. Under the auspices of FRAME, medical schools with RHMT programs come together to discuss and promote matters of mutual interest. Special thanks to all involved in making the conference a very successful and seamless event.

Flexible Work Arrangements and entering into Workday
The University’s Flexible Work Policy and Procedures have been updated and are available via the UQ Policy and Procedures Library (PPL). If you haven’t done so already, please add any new or existing arrangements into Workday via the My Flexible Work app. Information on how to do this is available in the My Work Arrangements section of the Systems Training Hub. 

Working overseas
Requests for flexible work that involve working from an international location will be permitted only in exceptional circumstances. This is due to tax implications, insurance requirements, work health and safety obligations, and other compliance related considerations. If staff have any queries, please reach out to Global Mobility in the first instance as well as your HR Client Partnering team well in advance of your proposed departure date.

Annual Performance Development – mid-year check in
An Annual Performance Development (APD) mid-year check-in is strongly recommended as part of the APD process. This is a valuable opportunity for leaders and staff to have a conversation about progress, feedback, development, support and planning. The APD mid-year check-in takes place at about the mid-way point between annual APD conversations.

When conducting a mid-year check-in there are several key elements that can be discussed:

• Progress against goals
• Review of goals for relevance and alignment
• Development discussion
• Challenges and support
• Request for feedback

For more information please view the following short digital learning.

UQ Awards for Excellence
Nominations are now open for the UQ Awards for Excellence, which recognise the outstanding achievement and contribution of UQ’s staff (individuals and teams) across 7 categories: Community; Innovation; Service; Reconciliation; Diversity and inclusion; Mental and physical health, safety and wellness; and Leadership. Nominations close on 30 June.

Student-Staff Partnership Project submissions
Do you have an amazing idea for a Student-Staff Partnership Project? Wish to transform the student experience? Have ideas to enhance teaching and learning, or improve UQ’s governance systems? Submissions for Round 4 Student-Staff Partnership Projects close 18 June. Find out more.

Green Gowns Awards submissions
The annual Green Gown Awards Australasia recognises and celebrates sustainability excellence within the tertiary education sector. Celebrating their 14^th year, the awards are considered the most prestigious recognition of sustainability best practice within the sector. Schools, Institutes or Divisions who are interested in entering can contact Suzanne Davis, Principal Sustainability Officer.

Term 2 Kids Holiday Camp enrolments open
Enrolments for the UQ Sport Kids Holiday Camp are now open. Subject to availability, you can enrol your child in the 5-day program for $290. Individual day bookings are also available for $75 per day. Spaces are strictly limited.

Cyber security training
With cyber security threats on the rise, now is a good time to boost your cyber savviness and learn how to apply this knowledge in both a personal and professional setting. A range of cyber-related in-person training is now available for enrolment via the Training section of the Stay Cyber Safe webpage or through Workday. All modules have the option of an online session.

View archived announcements from the Medical School

View archived announcements from MRI-UQ 

Senior Manager Rural Clinical School update
Director, Rural Clinical School update

Dear Colleagues, 

I can’t believe we are already in May. With the halfway point of 2023 fast approaching, there is lots of activity and future planning going on across all our sites – clearly evident in the many team successes and achievements. Thank you to all of you involved.

Collaboration is again a key theme for May as we had the privilege of hosting the FRAME Conference in Hervey Bay earlier this month. The Federation of Rural Medical Educators (FRAME) is the peak body representing Rural Clinical Schools and Regional Training Hubs funded through RHMT. Special thanks to all involved in making the conference a very successful and seamless event. We had overwhelmingly positive feedback from all attendees, so thank you!

It was a thought-provoking and collaborative full two days and, from the presentations, it was particularly evident that all universities in the rural and regional space are working hard to achieve the same goal. The delivery of programs across university networks was a common theme and seen as a great strength.  As we prepare our applications for CSP funding, we are measured on our formal partnerships.  As partners, we should be open and transparent with our best practices and research, and continue to work together to achieve our shared goals.

The barriers and enablers of each university were somewhat similar, with enablers including variety (clinical exposure to a wide variety of conditions), meaningfulness (resilience developed through the shared humanity of working with people from the bush), pathways to MD (end- to-end training), partnership and collaborations and mentorships, all areas, I believe, we are doing well in. High school recruitment and starting with Rural Training Pipeline in the earlier years of high school are also important. With our new High School Engagement Strategy Document, we know that high school engagement activities involve a lot of groundwork and that all Clinical Units are already, and will continue to do, a lot in this space. Every high school visit, career fair, student, visibility is key, and we thank you for your work to attract and retain medical graduates in rural areas to ensure that the healthcare workforce reflects the communities it serves.

The recent Medicine Information Online Event was a great success with an audience of over 500 potential future regional doctors watching live and an additional 550 online views since the recording was shared on YouTube. This event was in collaboration with the Faculty and the Future Students Team and allowed us to discuss The Medical Pathways and the RCS to a wider audience. TROPHIQ were also there to present the following night at the in-person event to showcase rural and remote medicine. We were bombarded with questions after the panel with some very interested students, which is always great to hear.

With the colder months coming up, remember to look after yourself. Take care and keep warm!

Riitta

Associate Professor Riitta Partanen
Director, UQ Rural Clinical School

Team successes and achievements
Congratulations to Wayne Williams on his academic appointment as Lecturer in Indigenous Health. This role recognises the valuable work Wayne does in the provision of First Nation curriculum for the Faculty of Medicine.

UQ RTH teams in Southern Queensland, Wide Bay and Central Queensland partnered with James Cook University and Queensland Health to deliver an Intern Information Evening Webinar on Tuesday 2 May. This online event attracted over 200 online participants and provided medical students the opportunity to understand the Queensland Health Internship application and ballot processes. UQ RTH teams supported our local Hospital and Health Services to showcase their facilities, career pathways, culture and community attractiveness outside metropolitan areas.  

UQ RCS hosted the FRAME Meeting from 3–4 May. Well done to all involved and congratulations Riitta on a well-organised, presented and attended meeting. The HBRCU tours were appreciated by the attendees. Special thanks and congratulations to Melanie George for her organisation and technical support skills and to Claire Cresswell who worked very hard in the background pulling together the presentations right up till the last minute.  They both showed such grace under pressure and were a credit to the team!

All our clinical units warmly welcomed the Year 2 students on the TROHPIQ site visits in April and May. Students had a wonderful time sightseeing and catching up with current medical students to talk about what it's like to live and study in a regional centre. All trips were oversubscribed and the feedback since is that there is keen interest in attending the RCS in 2024.

The RTHWB held a Come & Try session with local Indigenous high school students to inspire a career in healthcare on Tuesday 9 May. Well done to the RTHWB and our clinical team for a very successful event.

RTHWB held two ‘Battle of the Specialties’ careers events to promote regional medical careers and provide pre-med students, medical students and junior doctors the opportunity to speak with Career Champions (HB 15 May, BB 16 May).

The TRCU Clinical Skills Team supported the delivery of the Aspire2Health program in Kingaroy (April 18), Chinchilla (9 May) and Dalby (10 May). This high school engagement program is designed for Year 10-11 students interested in health careers across medicine, paramedicine, nursing, midwifery and allied health.

ER112 was delivered at the Hervey Bay Surf Club and on the beach area in front. The training day was a successful collaboration of RCU staff, students, Emergency clinicians, ambulance representatives and simulated patients.

NF Awareness Month
Staff member Millee Barr has a son born with this condition and the Bundaberg site will be holding a “We are going Blue & Green Day” to show support and help raise NF awareness. Students have shown interest in the education around the condition and donations have already raised $750 so far. Read more about NF Awareness Month.

Research Update

• We have established a partnership arrangement with Goondir Health Services, one of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in our footprint to develop new models of care in primary health.  We have also provided a quote to develop Goondir’s business plans for a community wellbeing centre in St George
• The RCS research team is also working on a consultancy project with Shell and Queensland Gas Corporation on health service delivery for their staff and contractors based in rural and remote areas. The interim report is due on the 15 May
• Research Team and Bruce Chater recently presented research outcomes on longitudinal placements to Martin Rocks at DoH. We have been invited to present to the whole department towards the end of July

Media
Facebook post with the most reach and engagement in May.

Staff Movements
Welcome to:

• Trudy Stone – new TRCU Team Leader (commenced 2 May)
• Peter Wallace – new RRM Team Leader (commenced 15 May)
• Jess Geddes has returned from parental leave back to the RCS Marketing Team and her role will focus on the RTH

We thank and farewell

• Dr Kim Bonk - Primary Care Workforce Lead RTH SQ
• Dr Jae Choi - Primary Care Workforce Lead RTH CQ
• Dr Fiona Stonely  -Senior Lecturer, Clinical Skills and Simulation TRCU
• Rosie Wagner – Principal Program Officer RTHSQ (last day 26 May) – Rosie has been with the RTH for 5 years (from the very early days) and has played an important role in the establishment and evolution of the RTH.  We look forward to continuing to work with Rosie as she steps into the Program Coordinator role with the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway (QRGP) team in Darling Downs Health

Upcoming Events
The UQRCS will be sponsoring a session and hosting a trade booth at RDAQ in Cairns in June.

15 UQ RCS sponsored Rocky students to enter in the Rocky River Run on the 21 May. Lots of Purple will be showcased on the day.

RTHWB abstract submission for the local Supervisor Training Series was accepted for presentation at the National Regional Training Hub Forum in Sydney, 1–2 June.

Planning for Semester 2 Intro Week is well underway along with finalising Semester 1 Exam Week and end-of-block assessments for students.

Finance Tips
UQ prioritises support for local jobs and positive outcomes for our communities and this aligns with our RHMT funding parameters. We can all contribute by actively considering opportunities to purchase from socially responsible enterprises, including indigenous businesses. Before undertaking purchasing or procurements please apply the local benefits test to evaluate the benefits a supplier would bring to the local area. This test also considers broader strategic factors such as stimulating local employment, socio-economic development in local regions and supporting social objectives when making procurement decisions.

For further information, please review the new content on Socially responsible procurement page. Socially responsible procurement reflects UQ’s intentions toward social, environmental and ethical purchasing, and reinforces our commitments to Indigenous procurement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

IT Update
Congratulations to Chris Camilleri, Kiri and new big sister Emily who welcomed baby Annika Ivy to their family on the 22 April. Chris has some leave around this exciting time. While Chris is on leave, could all staff email Jason with all IT support requests and CC the request to help.its@enquire.uq.edu.au. This will ensure that all requests can be tracked and managed properly. All jobs, no matter how small should be logged before they will be actioned. This will help us understand our IT needs as we continue to extend our offerings over the next few years.

Below are warning signs of failing lithium-ion batteries (found in laptops and mobile phones):

• Swelling of the battery – if the shape of your battery has changed, bulged or looks swollen
• High heat – batteries commonly generate some heat when charging or in use, but if the battery feels extremely hot to touch it may be defective
• Noise – failing batteries may make audible hissing or cracking sounds
• Odour – unusual or strong odours coming from the battery
• Smoking – any signs of smoke being released

Please contact the RCSIT team if you have any concerns and for more information read the safety alert about lithium-ion batteries. You can read more about disposing IT e-waste on the UQ website. 

Wellness Updates
App of the month: Sleep Cycle – would you like to track and analyse your sleep? Find your perfect wake-up window and more with Sleep Cycle. For more details and to download, visit Sleep Cycle | Sleep Tracker, Monitor & Alarm Clock

Push-Up Challenge: UQ is taking part in this event between 1–23 June, the goal is to complete 3,144 push-ups to help shine the spotlight on the number of lives lost to suicide in 2021 and raise awareness of mental health. It's ok to aim for half of the push-up target if 3,144 is too many. You're also welcome to do alternative exercises (sit-ups, squats, etc.) if push-ups aren't your thing. Registrations are now open for you to create/join a team (of up to 10) as part of the UQ Community and help push for better mental health. UQ teams have the option to raise funds for Lifeline. The team that raises the most money by the end of the challenge will win a massage therapist in the workplace for a day! Find out more and join the UQ Community.

Flourish Magazine: The May issue includes some healthy work and life topics such as: Don’t forget to move; Do you need a work detox, Digital accessibility; and Making your financial health and wealth better. Read more.

Desktop Wallpaper: Looking for a change of scenery on your desktop? Check out the EA Institute May background downloads.

View archived RCS announcements

Date Savers
26 June – Potluck International Lunch, 12pm, 26 June, Garden area at the front of Skerman (#65)
7 July – Academic Staff Meeting, 10–11:30am, venue TBA
14 August – All Staff Meeting, 12–1:30pm, venue TBA

Meet and Greets with the SAA Team
With all the new faces in the SAA Team, Anita Kelly is scheduling 15-minute drop-in sessions for staff to meet the new team members and for the team to get to know key people in the School. Please contact Anita on #51835 or email to book one in.

Flexible Work Arrangements and Entering Into Workday
The University’s Flexible Work Policy and Procedures have been updated and are available via the UQ Policy and Procedures Library (PPL). If you haven’t done so already, please add any new or existing arrangements into Workday via the My Flexible Work app. Information on how to do this is available in the My Work Arrangements section of the Systems Training Hub. 

Working Overseas
Requests for flexible work that involve working from an international location will be permitted only in exceptional circumstances. This is due to tax implications, insurance requirements, work health and safety obligations, and other compliance related considerations. If staff have any queries, please reach out to Global Mobility in the first instance, as well as your HR Client Partnering team well in advance of your proposed departure date.

Annual Performance Development (APD) Mid-Year Check In
An APD mid-year check-in is strongly recommended as part of the APD process. This is a valuable opportunity for leaders and staff to have a conversation about progress, feedback, development, support, and planning. The APD mid-year check-in takes place at about the mid-way point between annual APD conversations.

When conducting a mid-year check-in there are a number of key elements that can be discussed:

• Progress against goals
• Review of goals for relevance and alignment
• Development discussion
• Challenges and support
• Request for feedback

For more information please view the following short digital learning.

If you are preparing a manuscript and would like SBMS readership before submission, members of the Research Committee are willing and able to assist. Please contact the chair, Jana Vukovic.

If you have recently had a new publication accepted or published, please let us know.

Potluck International Lunch
The SBMS SASS and Equity & Diversity Committees invite you to a Potluck International Lunch at 12pm on Monday 26 June. You are invited to bring your favourite dish to share with everyone.

SBMS Friday Socials
Our next Friday networking event is scheduled for 9 June. Come along from 4pm for some beverages, snacks, and chats with fellow SBMSers on the Level 1 MacGregor deck. Both cash and cashless payment options will be available.

View archived announcements from SBMS

Head of School / School Manager Update
As Semester 1 draws to a close, we’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their teaching and teaching support efforts over the past five months. We know many of you are still in the depths of marking but hope you’ll be able to take some time off over the coming weeks to regroup and refresh for Semester 2.

Hopefully, you’ll all be aware of the Cultural Training Challenge, set to the School by our Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee. We’re seeing awesome increases in module completion and encourage you all to do your best to engage with the learning opportunities through WorkDay before NAIDOC week in July.

Finally, we’d like to extend a warm welcome to the new staff members who joined us in May: Dr Adam Craig, (Lau group) and Donisha Duff (Garvey group). We hope you are settling in well.

With appreciation,

Liz Eakin                                                                       Sarah Piper
SPH Head of School                                                    SPH School Manager 

Dates for diaries
June 7 – SPH whole of school Zoom check-in; 12pm.
June 8 – World Oceans Day.
June 13 – SPH Seminar Series: Intergenerational Health – Leigh Tooth.
June 14 – World Blood Donor Day.
June 17 – End of Exam Week & Semester 1.
June 22 – Three Minute Thesis Herston heat. 12–2pm. More details to follow.
June 27 – SPH Seminar Series: Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Showcase – Amalie Dyda, Dr Susan Jordan and Francis Nona.
17 July – Mid Year O-Week, Semester 2.       
24 July – Semester 2 classes commence.
24 July – Three Minute Thesis Faculty final. 1–3pm at TRI.

Teaching and Learning
Teaching and Learning Week 2023 will be taking place from Monday 30 October to Friday 3 November and will offer a mix of online, in-person and hybrid sessions. Teaching and Learning Week is an opportunity for UQ staff to share and showcase teaching tools, techniques, and strategies to enhance and innovate student learning.

This year the theme is Synergy, with sub-themes aligning with UQ’s Graduate Attributes: 

• accomplished scholars
• courageous thinkers
• connected citizens
• culturally capable
• influential communicators
• respectful leaders.

More details on the program and individual sessions will become available on the T&L Week website where you can register your attendance online. Please complete an Expression of Interest to present by 19 June.

Research News
How to get your research published
As part of their writing and publishing series, the Clinical Knowledge Network (CKN) and Elsevier Research will present a webinar on strategies to get your research published. Register online to attend. Wednesday 7 June, 4:30pm.

June: The Queensland Women's Health Forum, hosted by UQ and Mater Research, will explore The first 2000 days of life and its impact on women's health across the lifecourse, covering topics such as pregnancy, mental health, reproductive health, healthy lifestyles, obesity, sexual health, Indigenous health, violence and abuse, healthy ageing and research impacting policy change. 8–9 June, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Register now.

September: Early Bird registration is open for the 6th Southern Cross Travel Medicine Conference and the 2nd Southern Cross Tropical Medicine Conference, to be held in Sydney 1–3 September. Participate in focused workshops and hear global experts speak about vaccine preventable diseases; case studies in tropical medicine and travel medicine; malaria prophylaxis; arbovirus including Japanese Encephalitis; rabies; Guidelines for travel medicine; laboratory diagnostics, and expatriate travellers.

School review
Our school review document has now been reviewed by the key stakeholders of the School and the project team will be working towards finalising the feedback before it goes to Marketing for ‘prettying up’. Thank you to everyone who took the opportunity to contribute to the document, it’s looking really good!

SPH Book Swap and Library
If you’re looking for some good downtime, we have set up a little library on Level 2 of the SPH building. All recreational books are welcome – perfect if you have any books, new or well-loved, looking for a new home. Please note, once you drop off a book, you may not get it back. 

Feel free to add any book or podcast recommendations on the little white board. Happy reading!!

UQ Research Data Manager (RDM) Training opportunities
9 June - Introduction to Digital Research Notebook (LabArchives)
14 June - UQRDM for researchers and research students – how to use it to help with managing research data
19 June - Publishing datasets with UQRDM and eSpace

NAIDOC Week Challenge
At the recent All School Forum, Associate Professor and Chair of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Lisa Fitzgerald, challenged all staff to complete the 10 modules in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Core Cultural Learning by NAIDOC week, 2–9 July. Most of us have completed Modules 1 and 2 and we’d like to see many more complete ALL the modules. Set aside some time in your diary and let’s walk our talk! For those that haven’t started, the link to introductory module 0 can be found here. All courses are available online in Workday.

Nominate a staff member
Queensland 40 Under 40 Awards
Nominations are now open for the inaugural Queensland 40 Under 40 Awards to recognise young leaders and entrepreneurs aged under 40. Hosted by InQueensland and The Weekend Edition, the awards aim to acknowledge the movers and shakers, ground-breakers, visionaries, quiet achievers and game changers helping to shape the future of our state. Find out more and nominate today. Nominations close Friday 16 June. 

UQ Awards for Excellence
Nominations for the 2023 Awards are now open and close Friday 30 June. The UQ Awards for Excellence recognise and celebrate individuals and teams in the areas of:

• Community  – implemented innovative programs that have made a demonstrable impact to Queensland communities or have strengthened access to education at UQ.
• Innovation  – implemented innovative, effective workplace practices or initiatives, including the development of new systems that improve UQ’s effectiveness and efficiency.
• Service  – outstanding and significant contribution to delivering excellence in service to students, staff or the wider community.
• Reconciliation  – contributed to promoting reconciliation at UQ, specifically through exceptional practices, or implementation of one or more of UQ’s Reconciliation Action Plan deliverables in collaboration with Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous peoples.
• Diversity and inclusion  – outstanding effort in promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within UQ and proactively enhancing a sense of community among staff, students and partners.
• Mental and physical health, safety and wellness  – implemented innovative and exciting ideas and practices which contribute to the mental and physical health, safety and wellness of our staff and students.
• Leadership  – exemplary leadership supporting a positive, performance-based culture and contributing to the achievements of UQ.

Complete a nomination.

Infectious Diseases Discussion Panel
You are invited to attend the Patenting Immunity? Vaccines and Public Health panel discussion. Monday 24 July, 4-6pm. Queensland Brain Institute Auditorium, UQ St Lucia.
Speakers: 

• Paul Barclay (Chair), Walkley Award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster 
• Antony Taubman, Director, Intellectual Property Division of the World Trade Organization 
• Professor Ian Frazer, Emeritus Professor, University of Queensland & Chair, TRI Foundation Board 
• Dr Hyo Yoon Kang, Reader in Law, Warwick Law School, University of Warwick, UK 
• Dr Tolulope Adekola, Research Fellow, TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland 

Learn more about our speakers. Register online.

Space Update
Amnesty call out continues  – if you have any unused or unwanted computer equipment/docking stations in your office, please let Ailsa know and we can have them collected. We’re particularly keen to get any unused laptops so we can make a Laptop Library available for short term usage.

Look after your body
If you wish to quit smoking, you can access support. Find out more about assistance available to you on Quitline and at 13QUIT (13 78 48), a free and confidential service that provides advice and assistance tailored to your particular needs. Trained counsellors are available 7 days a week to offer support and encouragement. Doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals can provide advice on replacement therapy and other treatments. You can also find additional support and information through:

• UQ Healthcare
• Cancer Council Queensland
• QuitNow
• MyQuitBuddy
• QuitCoach
• Quit HQ
• Quitting smoking
• How to quit smoking
• Make smoking history.

UQ community COVID-19 advice
Protect yourself and others. Current Queensland Health traffic light advice is GREEN (updated 18/5/23). The traffic light level advises on the level of risk, how to stay safe and what to do if they contract COVID-19.

• Keep vaccinations up to date, including boosters.
• Positive cases no longer need to quarantine. However, it is recommended you stay at home if feeling unwell.
• Positive cases should avoid entering high-risk settings including hospitals, aged care and disability care until at least 7 days have passed since you received a positive COVID-19 test result, and you no longer have any symptoms.
• While public health directions no longer require face masks to be worn, they are recommended when you cannot physically distance, you are a vulnerable person or caring for vulnerable people.
• Remain 1.5 metres apart where possible.
• If you are a vulnerable person or caring for vulnerable people, follow the Australian Government directive to minimise your risk.
• Wash hands often using soap and water or use hand sanitiser.

Workshops, Events and Short Courses
Software online courses in:

• Word: Styles and Structure
• Excel: Further Functions
• PowerPoint workshop
• Excel: Charting

Food for thought
The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you – B.B. King

MRFF Grant Opportunities

• Consumer-led research – applications close 14 June
• Chronic respiratory conditions – applications close 14 June
• Maternal health and healthy lifestyles – applications close 14 June
• Early to Mid-career researchers – applications close 21 June
• Clinical trials activity – applications close 28 June
• National Critical Research Infrastructure – applications close 31 July
• Primary Health Care Research – applications close 2 August
• 2023 Cardiovascular Health grant opportunity – applications close 30 August
•  2023 Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care grant opportunity – applications close 30 August

Learning and safety courses
The below courses are available on Workday in Quarter 2, 2023. These courses are designed to help staff with managing the risks and understanding the responsibilities of working in the UQ environment. 

June courses

• Turnitin Workshop - Zoom
• Complaint Management Training
• Provide CPR (HLTAID009)
• Understanding Psychosocial Hazards and Risk Management
• PadletUQ Workshop - Zoom
• Provide First Aid (HLTAID011)
• UQSafe System Training for Safety Coordinators (HSW_OHS_007)
• Fact Finding Workshop
• Sexual Misconduct First Responders Training
• Calling Out Bad Behaviour in the Workplace
• Supporting students with mental health conditions
• Ally Workshop - Face to Face
• Fire Extinguisher Training
• Ethics Awareness Workshop
• Staff Disability Inclusion Masterclass (face to face)

SPH LinkedIn Page
Continue to help build our SPH LinkedIn community by following and inviting others to follow our School of Public Health LinkedIn page. Please send Ailsa Bolton any content you would like uploaded to LinkedIn. Alternatively, you can post on your own personal LinkedIn page and tag the School of Public Health by simply typing @UQ School of Public Health and clicking the SPH page that appears as a tag option.

SPH Research Dissemination Toolkit
Keen to disseminate your research publicly? The SPH Research Dissemination Toolkit can help you do this.

View archived SPH announcements

From the Acting Director’s desk
There is a lot of movement in the Centre now with people returning to their normal desks on Levels 7 and 6, as well as Levels 4 and 3 decanting. Thanks to Maxine, Tracey, Dom, Simon and Chris for their great work in helping to make this happen, and to all the staff and students in the Centre for their support and patience during this work. We are still on track for all the internal work to be completed by end of August.

Don’t forget the Clinical Neurosciences Showcase is on 14 June in the RBWH Education Centre, which is also RBWH Giving Day.

As you will recall from the Vice-Chancellor’s all-staff meeting, consultation is underway to consider merging the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Science. We will continue to share information with everyone as it becomes available. Please feel free to contact me or Chris Shannon if you have any concerns you would like to discuss.

Finally, I want to ensure that you are all aware of some exciting new initiatives and celebrations that UQCCR is planning for later in the year. These are in addition to the regular activities we support and include the:

• UQCCR 15-year Anniversary Celebration
• Group Leader’s Workshops to develop skills in leadership of research teams
• Philanthropy Workshop to help academics pitch their research to prospective donors

Additionally, with the Research Committee-sponsored collaboration building sessions with other UQ organizational units, as well as the Herston Symposium (September) and the Antimicrobial Awareness Week-aligned Herston Infectious Diseases Institute (HeIDI) Forum (November), there are a lot of exciting events coming soon!

Want to be included in the newsletter?
Email your updates, event, awards to news@uqccr.uq.edu.au for inclusion.

Are you a well being?
Check out UQCCR’s Wellbeing committee Initiatives and other Centre news on the Staff hub.

UQCCR Seminar Series
Presenter: Professor Juan-Pablo Horcajada
Date: Wednesday 7 June, 12 midday
Location: Zoom

UQCCR Paper of the Month
To nominate for this monthly award, please submit a proforma and PDF of your paper to Julie Wixey the first week of the following month i.e., if you published online in May you need to submit by 7 June. Winners receive a $50 gift card, and a short video of their paper is promoted online.

UQCCR's standing items 

Sweet treats
The UQCCR Social Club has restocked the chocolates with Cadbury Fundraiser treats. Chocolates are selling for $1 each, which is great value for the size of the chocolates. We have a new white container just for the chocolate money. We also understand that people may want to pay via bank transfer, so you can find the Social Club bank details on the chocolate sign. Also, due to inflation, the soft drinks are now $2 each. The money for drinks and the chips will still be placed in the old plastic cash box or via bank transfer.

The Conversation - Pitching and Writing Masterclass
Do you have an important story to share about your research? Do you need help to tell your story in a concise and compelling way? The Conversation’s senior editors can show how it's done with their Pitching and Writing Masterclass, delivered via two, 2-hour interactive Zoom sessions over two days, with online and offline writing assignments. The cost per person is $690 + GST. Find out more.

Faculty’s Research and Statistical Support Services (RASSS)
Need help with study design, data analysis, manuscript, grant application or PhD supervision? To discuss bespoke statistical support at UQCCR, please complete a request form or email Mark Chatfield. See more information under the Research Support banner.

UQ clinical trials procedure
If you are establishing a clinical trial, please check the UQ Ethics page to ensure that you are familiar with UQ requirements, such as submitting additional notifications, obtaining any additional insurance for international sites, completing the UQ template Risk Assessment and Management Plan (RAMP) and ensuring your GCP training is current. Sabine and Hanna, who work on UQCCR contracts, are happy to assist with any enquires. Alternatively, please visit the Research Support team in Room 735 for any questions.
 
Toolbox Talks
Please send through any requests for 2023 Toolbox talk topics to Chris Shannon. Recordings are now available on the UQCCR intranet under ‘research resources’. Seminar Series recordings are also available.

After-hours access to UQCCR
If you require access to UQCCR outside of work hours (6am-6pm) Monday-Friday, please get in touch with Chris Shannon as soon as possible. There is a two-day lead time to arrange access so, unfortunately, this cannot be done on the same day as your request. Please do your best to plan your research accordingly.
 
Budgets
Many research contracts submitted for signature are not using the UQ costing and pricing tool and do not factor in overheads or provide a relevant independent exemption reference, such as the funding body’s rules on their website. Failure to confirm these aspects early can mean delays in getting your contract signed or GRL issued. If you have any questions about the CPT or overheads, please contact Roheen.
 
COIs
FACs and research contracts require confirmation that your online COI disclosures, if applicable, have been approved by UQ, before a GRL can be issued or a research contract signed. Online approval happens via Workday in consultation with your line manager. As the COI process can take a few weeks, please ensure that you attend to your annual COI and updates, and factor in the timing required to avoid delays.
 
Research infrastructure
You can now access a spreadsheet on the UQCCR intranet that lists all current core equipment available in the Clinical Trials Support Unit on Level 3 and that which can be borrowed from individual research groups. In addition, the equipment wish list is now live and can be viewed and added to as required.
 
Research funding support
Visit the Faculty website for current research funding opportunities. Please contact Roheen Gill well ahead of any deadline if you are planning to apply for upcoming opportunities and Sara Gollschewski to discuss strategic funding alignment. You can find a summary of funding support and assistance available to researchers for administration, reporting and closing out of existing funding in this document under 'Research Resources'.
 
Twitter blitz – Career Development Committee
Interested in becoming a UQCCR Twitter Champion? If so, please contact Kate Matthews. The role includes:  

• Keeping and following all UQCCR Twitter handles and being available to help others with Twitter questions
• Always using #UQCCR and @UQMedicine
• Promoting your work and that of others in the building
• Sharing and adjusting the template tweets posted on Microsoft Teams  
• Tweeting once a week 

View archived announcements from UQCCR

Frazer Family Foundation Travel Awards
The Frazer Family Foundation Travel Awards are now open to UQ-enrolled HDR students who are principally located at TRI and UQ ECR Level A/B academics employed by UQ and principally located at TRI. There are five awards available valued at $5,000 each to enable awardees to present at a national or international science conference. Submit applications to fi.rdo@uq.edu.au. Closing date is Friday 23 June 2023. 

Important event for Frazer Institute Researchers and Students – Research Integrity Workshop
The Frazer Institute Research Committee will be hosting a Research Integrity Workshop on Wednesday 7 June, 1–3pm. It is expected that all Frazer Institute researchers and students attend this important workshop which will include a presentation from the UQ Research Ethics and Integrity team, and break-out sessions for discussions around scenarios presented. This workshop will be face-to-face only. Please register your attendance by 31 May.

22^nd Brisbane Immunology Group (BIG) Retreat
Abstract submission, registration and accommodation bookings are now open for this event on 24–25 August at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Gold Coast. Registrations close 30 June. There are significant discounts for Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology (ASI) members. If you are not already a member you may like to join ASI.  

2023 Frazer Institute Winter Course in Advanced Immunology
The Frazer Institute is pleased to offer a Winter Course in Advanced Immunology at the Translational Research Institute (TRI) from 17–21 July. This course is a unique opportunity to learn about advanced instruction in immunology and hear insights from international leaders in the field. The course is open to enrolled undergraduate students from any university, external attendees, UQ staff and enrolled undergraduate or postgraduate students at any university. Register to find out more.

 View archived announcements from The Frazer Instittue